Chapter 2

Walking side-by-side through the forest, Bluto silently enjoyed the sound of Kumiko's flute as she played a lighthearted tune, filling the air and his ears. He was much more at ease now that her human form had disappeared along with the full moon.

Her rounded ears returned to their pointed, elf-like shape. Her deep brown eyes swirled back into their original fiery-amber. Her long hair, still as black as sin, cascaded down to her waist. Clad in the furs of the Southern Siberian Tribe and hair graced with a crown made of flowers that never wilted, there was no mistaking her identity as that of royalty. Most importantly, her fangs, claws, speed and strength returned and with it her self-defense.

Bluto looked up as Kumiko finished her song with a long tune. She brought her flute down from her lips with a content sigh.

"We managed to live another night," Kumiko stated with a playful grin down at her friend as she slid her flute halfway into her skirt.

"Laugh all you want," He gruffed testily, "You will thank me one day for being cautious."

"You're worse than my dad was."

"Thank you," He replied, taking it as a compliment.

She shook her head with a smile as they faced the trail ahead.

"Hey, we're almost out of the forest, aren't we?" She pointed out, "And see? No sign of the Bear Clan. Everything went just fine."

Just as she finished her sentence, both wolves stilled as a sudden scent filled the air that made their hair stand on edge... and it was coming close very quickly.

"Looks like you spoke too soon," Bluto grumbled as the smell of bears began to surround them.

They tensed as two large bear demons jumped from out of the trees they had nearly knocked over and on the trail, blocking both paths. They began to circle the two wolves as they kept their backs to each other, glaring at the bears who chuckled devilishly to themselves.

Their fur, a gorgeous chocolate-brown, was marred by staining of wolf blood. As they taunted the two wolf demons, their snarls revealed bone-crushing teeth, acidic drool dripping from their mouths, landing on the ground with a sizzle. Their eyes were small and a crimson red, eyeing them hungrily as they waited for their leader to give them the okay to attack.

"Well, well..." Came another voice from within the trees, "What have we here? I don't think I've ever seen such a pack of wolves with only two members."

The bears laughed loudly amongst themselves.

Kumiko eyed the direction in which the voice came from as the humanoid leader of the trio stepped out from within the shadows.

He was incredibly tall and burly, his barrel-chest wide enough for two maidens to law on. His arms and legs were as thick as the tree trunks of the forest, his heavily muscled body graced with bear-fur pelts and armor.

His hair framed his bearded, chiseled face in cocoa-colored, medium-lengthed waves with eyes as brown as his comrade's fur. He could almost be described as handsome were it not for the bitter hatred inside of his souless eyes that matched his twisted grin.

Kumiko's eyes immediately caught sight of something that hung across the demon's neck. A necklace of fangs; wolf fangs. Hanging from the center was an enormous fang as large as a dagger that seemed to weight down the necklace.

"Come to collect more fangs?" She questioned sarcastically, bringing her eyes back up to his.

"Why, as a matter of fact, yes," He smiled broadly, "And those pearly whites of yours would make an excellent addition to my necklace."

"Seems like you have enough already," She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes drawn back to the large fang that hung in the center.

Something about it... It was almost... hypnotizing; as if it were calling out to her.

She had a sudden urge to run and yank off his disgusting necklace of death. As the bears walked around them and over to stand beside their leader, Bluto turned to face them as he stood beside Kumiko, not even noticing the Fang of Kiba that hung from the demon's neck, too wary of their predicament.

"Forgive me," The demon continued, "I haven't introduced myself. My name is Kuma, Leader of the Bear Clan. And you are...?"

"Does it matter who we are?" Kumiko scoffed.

"Not particularly," He admitted then smirked devilishly, "But I'd be regretful if I didn't at least know the name of you, my dear. You are the loveliest wolf I have ever laid eyes on, I simply must have those fangs of yours."

Bluto narrowed his golden eyes. There was something in his eyes that told him Kuma was interested in more than just Kumiko's fangs.

"I think I'll keep them," She stated firmly.

Kuma chuckled, clearly amused, the bears standing behind him laughing goofily. Bluto began to growl, his protective nature on display. Bluto, however, didn't need to even charge before Kumiko suddenly disappeared by his side.

Like a flash of lightning, she appeared in the sky, jumping with a swing of her leg. Her foot connected with Kuma's face, sending the unsuspecting demon on his back with a grunt. She landed before the bears, bringing her claws out with a crack of her knuckles. She eyed them darkly, warning in her eyes. Kuma looked up wide-eyed, visibly alarmed. He had never seen a wolf move so swiftly. He had been kicked before he could blink.

He stood from the ground slowly, rubbing his face. All his amusement was gone.

"Get her," He barked at his stunned bears.

The bears immediately sprang into action but they may as well have been walking. Their heavy bodies weighed them down, giving the two light-footed wolves the advantage. Bluto charged at one, barking fiercely as his eyes remained locked on the bear's throat. Kumiko dodged a dangerous swipe from the other bear, crouching down and swinging her leg across the ground, knocking him onto his back with a loud thud.

Bluto's bear roared fiercely in pain upon feeling Bluto's teeth sink into his neck. He thrashed wildly in an attempt to get the wolf off of him but Bluto wasn't going anywhere, chomping down as hard as his strong jaw would let him. The bear swiped his paw at Bluto, knocking the large wolf off of him. Bluto released a cry of pain as he landed on the ground, bringing Kumiko's eyes to him.

"Bluto!" She called after him in alarm.

"I'm fine!" He barked harshly as he got back on his feet, his eyes locked on the bear whose neck was bleeding profusely.

"I said 'get them'!" Kuma shouted impatiently.

The sluggish bears, however, were no match for the speedy wolves. Kuma watched in disbelief as his bears were overpowered by agility. He could hear bones breaking as Kumiko kicked and punched one bear though he was unsure whose bones they were. The four-legged wolf companion of hers had jaws of steel that led to the ultimate demise of his friend.

"No..." Kuma gasped out, taking a step back as he watched his comrades fall with a loud thud to the ground, their blood spilling on the dirt of the forest.

Kumiko and Bluto landed beside each other, now facing a very stunned Kuma. A low growl built in his throat, his hands balling into fists so tight that they began to shake. In his eyes was the crazed look of a madman ready to slay whoever stood in his way.

"You killed my men..." He spoke dangerously low.

"You were in our way," Kumiko stated with a glare, ignoring her throbbing arm which she didn't doubt was broken after shattering the bear's jaw in half.

"You smug little bitch!" He roared suddenly as he charged towards her.

Her eyes widened, jumping out of the way, managing to dodge him by the skin of her teeth. He was faster than the others but still not as fast as she. Kuma turned swiftly and brought his claws out.

One slash and she would be done for.

She was fast, yes, but he was still stronger. She had to do something before she became part of his sick collection. With only one good arm, she was left with no other choice.

Kumiko whipped her flute out as she stood, bringing it to her lips with her good hand. She glared at the bear and sharply blew into it.

The beautiful, wind-like melody did not come but instead an ear-shattering whistle that brought both Kuma and Bluto crippling onto the floor. Kuma brought his hands to his ears, crying out as his body trembled, a terrible pain entering his ears and spreading through his body.

The wind began to blow violently, shielding the sun with morbid clouds, blowing the trees nearly out of their roots. Gusts of wind were sent flying towards the crippled bear, screams of agony escaping him as his body was hit with painful tornadoes.

Bluto's cries and whimpers joined Kuma's cries as the wolf's sensitive ears exploded with pain, bringing him to the floor. Kumiko withdrew her flute, approaching Kuma who lay trembling on the floor, blood trickling from his ears, his body injured from the force of the wind. His eyes were wide and petrified as he stared ahead in Kumiko's direction.

She stood before him, watching him as he shakily reached out to her ankle. She pulled away and stomped on his hand, wringing a strained grunt of pain from him. He looked up at her, expecting the worst in his weak state.

"What are you waiting for?" He bit out through gritted teeth, his body as heavy as cement.

It took her a moment to realize that he was waiting for her to finish him off. But looking at him now, so helpless even as large as he was, she felt her brow soften... but not for long.

She drew her leg back and delivered a swift kick to his stomach, watching with great satisfaction as he curled up in pain.

"You'll be in enough pain for quite a while," She assured him, "There's no need to shed more blood today... but I am going to take this."

She reached down and yanked the necklace of wolf fangs off of his neck. Kuma said nothing and continued to cradle his ears, not having heard a word she said, the damage to his ears too great.

Kumiko soon forgot about the wounded bear and turned to Bluto, her eyes widening to see him still laying on the ground. She ran to him swiftly, kneeling down beside him.

"Bluto!" She exclaimed, suddenly aware of what her actions had brought upon them, "Bluto, are you okay?!"

Bluto's eyes were half-lidded, no blood coming from his ears unlike the bear demon. He looked at her with glazed eyes before he mustered up enough strength to speak.

"What took you so long?" He grumbled.

She frowned heavily at him before she reached forward to scoop up the immense wolf with her good arm, struggling as she roughly threw him over her shoulder, gripping him as she shrugged him on. She looked to the direction of the forest's exit before running swiftly towards it, leaving the bear to wallow in pain.

Once they were away from Kuma, she took the time to answer his earlier question.

"You know I hate using that thing," She scolded him as she ran, "But I had no choice."

And indeed she did. She didn't know what it was about that flute. When her father gifted it to her, she had seen it as no more than a harmless instrument, a hobby, something to keep her entertained and busy.

But when she used it in moments of fear or anger, the flute screamed with a deafening shriek that disabled, deafened and weakened those within hearing range while possessing the winds. Except its user, of course.

She had only used it once before.

The first time was a pure accident. She had been bullied by the wolf cubs as a child and she had rushed off, playing her flute in an attempt to soothe her anger but the flute could sense the fire within her and mistook its duty; it went from soothing entertainment into defense mode. The tribe had been furious as she had hurt several within range.

Then there was now. She felt ashamed for she had forgotten about Bluto in her moment of fear and panic.

"I'll be fine," He spoke suddenly, having caught the worry in her voice.

She tightened her grip on him and said nothing as she swiftly got them out of the dangerous forest.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Kagome questioned the dog demon who had winced with a sudden and startling cry before he quickly composed himself, staring into the forest accusingly.

Inuyasha glared into the forest, suddenly on edge. His ears twitched as the sound of the sharp whistle seemed to continue to echo in his ears even after it stopped, a throbbing pain pulsating through his sensitive white ears.

"I heard something," He stated darkly, "A whistling sound."

Kagome eyed him worriedly. They had been walking through the village when he had suddenly doubled over, bringing his hands to ears with a bark of pain, a high-pitched yelp she had never heard from him.

"It's gone now," He assured her but his eyes remained set on the forest as if he was expecting it to return.

She looked out into the forest but saw nothing.

"Should we take a look?" She questioned.

"Why bother?" He shrugged, finally tearing his eyes off of the forest to look upon his wife.

"Maybe someone was calling for help," She suggested.

"Maybe..." He pondered before he frowned, "Is it really our problem?"

"Come on," She grabbed his hand, yanking him along despite his protests.

"Hey, wait!" He exclaimed but she wasn't listening, "Why do we always have to get involved?!"

"Because!" She insisted as she practically dragged him towards the forest, "What if someone's in trouble? We can't just ignore them!"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, irritated. It was one of Kagome's greatest flaws and also greatest strengths; the need to aid everyone they came across. He loved and hated that about her. Truthfully, he only hated it when it involved him doing something about it.

But in the end, he always ended up helping and he did so because it was the right thing to do - and it made her happy.

As they got closer to the forest, Inuyasha's face began tense again.

"I smell something!"

He began to pick up his pace, both now running until they reached the entrance to the forest, skidding to a stop. They stood warily, one step away from touching the forest grounds.

"It's coming this way."

He let go of Kagome's hand and withdrew his sword, standing in front of her as he waited for the smell of the demons to get closer. Somehow, he couldn't help but feel that whoever was heading their way was the cause of the earlier sound that had nearly sent him to his knees.

"Get back, Kagome!" He warned her as he readied himself.

He jumped into the sky before he called out the Wind Scar, sending the wave of demonic energy. Kagome watched wide-eyed as the Wind Scar destroyed a path of trees and whatever he was aiming for.

Or so they thought.

Inuyasha looked up, taking a step back when the demon appeared from above the sky, having miraculously dodged his attack. He looked at her in alarm as she landed before him, caught off guard by the sight of a half-demon holding a wolf large enough to tear her to shreds over her shoulder like some sort of fur accessory.

And she did not look happy with the dog demon at all.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" She shouted fiercely, stepping a threatening step towards him.

"Me?!" He exclaimed.

"No, the priestess," She retorted sarcastically with a nod to Kagome, "Yes, you! You nearly killed us, you clumsy oaf!"

"Clumsy?!" He exclaimed, glaring at her in outrage, "There wasn't anything clumsy about it, I was trying to kill you!"

Kumiko's eyes widened, taken aback. The look of genuine shock on her face startling Inuyasha. Kagome stepped forward but Kumiko only continued to shout at him.

"What did I do to you?!" She demanded to know, "We're just passing by! My friend is hurt! You would harm an injured, elderly-"

"Enough, Kumiko," Bluto spoke weakly.

Inuyasha and Kagome looked towards Bluto confusedly, having thought he was dead.

Kumiko knelt down, cradling her beloved companion one-armed, worry etched on her face. Carrying his heavy weight and legs going nonstop, Kumiko had nearly collided with Inuyasha's attack.

"What's wrong with your friend?" Kagome stepped forward.

Kumiko looked up with a glare so fierce that Kagome froze in place.

"What do you think happened?" She spat before nodding over to Inuyasha, "Dog-Breath over there nearly killed him!"

"Why you little...!" Inuyasha began to shout but Kagome looked over her shoulder at him, the look on her face bringing a shudder over him that kept his mouth shut.

She turned back to Kumiko, her face softening.

"We can help," She offered kindly despite Kumiko's aggressiveness.

"There's nothing you can do," She insisted before she stood back up clumsily in an attempt to balance Bluto on her shoulder.

"I don't see any wounds," Kagome pointed out curiously.

"It was that sound, wasn't it?" Inuyasha questioned suddenly, his arms crossed over his chest.

Kumiko's brow furrowed curiously.

"You... heard it?"

"Yes," Inuyasha growled as he sheathed Tetsusaiga, "If he was anywhere near it, I can see why he's in so much pain. It was loud enough to hurt even my ears."

The edge was taken off Kumiko's face as anger was replaced with sadness. Kagome took note and though a voice in her head told her it was probably better to leave the strange woman be, she stepped forward again, a kind smile on her gentle face.

"I'm sure we have some remedies that might help with the pain," She offered, expecting Kumiko to snap at her once more.

But she was surprised to see the half-demon look at her, uncertainty in her eyes. She then looked back at Bluto and knew she had no choice but to accept.

"Very well," She relented with a sigh before she glared at them both again, "If you try and hurt him again-"

"We won't!" Kagome assured her, "Isn't that right, Inuyasha?"

"Feh..." He scoffed, walking away with his nose in the air, arms crossed.

Kagome frowned after him before turning back to Kumiko. She nearly jumped out of her skin at the intense suspicion in Kumiko's narrowed eyes.

"Don't worry about him," She chuckled nervously, "Follow me."

Kumiko nodded quietly, following the shorter woman, staring daggers at her back as she ran a soothing hand through Bluto's fur.

Hang in there, Bluto...

"Did you hear that?"

Koga stopped in his tracks at Hakkaku's question. So he had heard something. For a moment he wasn't sure but now that it was being asked out loud, he could confirm it. Even as far off as it sounded, he felt a very light throbbing in his ears like two tiny heartbeats.

Whatever it was, it sounded like a very sharp flute-like whistle and yet it was too harsh to come from something as gentle as a flute.

"Yeah, I heard it," He turned towards his two comrades.

"Could it be...?" Ginta questioned, eyeing them hopefully.

The screech sounded very distant but it was there. A gust of gentle wind blew just as they had heard the sound and Koga wondered if that had anything to do with this wolf who sang the song of the wind.

"We should probably check it out," Hakkaku suggested, "No harm in checking."

Koga nodded before he ran off in the direction where the whistle came from. The wind, graced with a faint smell of lilies blowing against him, told him he was heading down the right path.

Author's Note:

Stay tuned next week!

~ Laruto